The Howling

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The Howling

R,

1981,

1h 31m,

Horror

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Watchlist

Watchlist

76%

131 Reviews

Tomatometer

60%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

131 Reviews

60%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In Los Angeles, television journalist Karen White (Dee Wallace) is traumatized in the course of aiding the police in their arrest of a serial murderer. Her doctor recommends that she attend an isolated psychiatric retreat led by Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee). But while Karen is undergoing therapy, her colleague Chris (Dennis Dugan), investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding her shock. When his work leads him to suspect the supernatural, he begins to fear for Karen's life.

Critics Consensus

The Howling packs enough laughs into its lycanthropic carnage to distinguish it from other werewolf entries, with impressive creature effects adding plenty of bite.

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David Robinson

The Times (UK)

Jun 22, 2026

What the film lacks in plot it makes up in special effects, bizarre metamorphoses and the sort of gory shocks that the contemporary juvenile audience is said to demand.

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J. Hoberman

Village Voice

Mar 18, 2026

It's a superior entertainment -- as creepy, witty, and suggestive as its disreputable genre would warrant.

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Archer Winsten

New York Post

Mar 18, 2026

Director Joe Dante has handled these horrible horror without a qualm.

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Terry Lawson

The Journal-Herald (Dayton, OH)

6 days ago

The Howling is well-directed by Joe Dante, who keeps the film moving so rapidly it seems to be over in half its actual running time.

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Jul 13, 2026

3.5/5

One of the rare films that could actually benefit from a longer runtime, The Howling nevertheless impresses with incredible practical effects and a raw performance from Dee Wallace.

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Joe Lipsett

Horror Queers Podcast

Jul 8, 2026

3.5/5

Joe Dante's B-movie is sleazier than An American Werewolf in London (complimentary), and the practical effects are just as good. A little odd, a little sexy, and a nice bit of humanity from star Dee Wallace.

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Hermione W

Dec 30, 2018

Can be quite slow at times. Pretty boring acts 1 and 2. The concept was good and the effects were amazing considering its early eighties. The acting wasn't very good so its hard to get emotionally invested. Sucks because I really wanted to enjoy this classic.

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Hermione L

Nov 6, 2018

While the Howling, takes time into the movie before it gets good it offers high thrills and has you on the edge of your seat.

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Oct 30, 2018

To this one of the best scariest movies i have seen. When I was a kid it was very hard for me to finish a certain scene in the movie. Enjoy this movie.

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Poe M

Oct 14, 2018

IMHO Best werewolf flick, ever. I took my sister to see this. I was 13 she was 10. This movie gave her nightmares, the spooks, and the "Hee-Bee-Gee-Bees" for years to come. Though by today's standards, It's a bit outdated as far as special effects. The special Fx were outstanding for the time. Especially when you consider they didn't use any Computer graphics. I actually do still like the storyline. One of my favs, even to this day.

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Rey R

May 20, 2018

Like any 1980s horror film, "The Howling" offers great practical effects, but they are wasted on a story that is so cheesy and cliché that you often laugh at the poor decisions that these filmmakers made during the filmmaking process. Not only that, but some of the actors' performances are so unrealistic and over-the-top that you can't take the storyline seriously. Yes, I get it. It's a movie about werewolves. So? I should feel scared and thrilled when watching these characters being mauled by monsters, but what's the point of being scared when all the actors act like they were in a middle school play! Maybe it's just me. Maybe I just don't like the mentality behind the making of these "slasher/horror" films. Thank God we moved pass this stage in the filmmaking world.

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Han W

May 6, 2018

2.5/5. The Howling is a very mixed bag. It's mostly just boring, but it doesn't have some amazing practical effects, I'l taking some of the coolest I've ever seen, plus some awesome cinematography, and a really excellent ending. I can't really recommend it as a movie, but on a technical level, it's pretty neat.

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Joe Dante

Director

Dee Wallace

Karen White

Patrick Macnee

Dr. George Waggner

Dennis Dugan

Chris

Christopher Stone

R. William (Bill) Neill

Belinda Balaski

Terry Fisher

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Synopsis

In Los Angeles, television journalist Karen White (Dee Wallace) is traumatized in the course of aiding the police in their arrest of a serial murderer. Her doctor recommends that she attend an isolated psychiatric retreat led by Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee). But while Karen is undergoing therapy, her colleague Chris (Dennis Dugan), investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding her shock. When his work leads him to suspect the supernatural, he begins to fear for Karen's life.

Director: Joe Dante
Producer: Daniel H. Blatt, Jack Conrad, Michael Finnell, Steven A. Lane
Screenwriter: Gary Brandner, John Sayles, Terence H. Winkless
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., AVCO Embassy Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp., Image Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: AVCO Embassy Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 3, 2017
Runtime: 1h 31m

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